CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.4

ELAGrades 9–10Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

The Standard

Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Speaking and Listening Standards

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do: Students present a focused claim or finding and support it with relevant evidence. They organize ideas so listeners can follow the reasoning and match their style to the purpose and audience.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students state a clear main point, organize evidence in a logical order, and explain each connection. They speak concisely and adjust their language, detail, and tone for the audience and task.
Common Misconceptions: Students may list evidence without explaining how it supports the main point. They may include too much detail, jump between ideas, or use a style that does not fit the audience.
How to Assess It: Give students two minutes to present a claim with two supporting details. Listeners should be able to write the claim and explain how each detail supports it.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

Give groups claim, evidence, and explanation cards to arrange logically, then present their sequence and justify the order.
Ask students to explain how they would present the same school policy proposal to classmates, parents, and the principal.
Run a two-minute presentation challenge where partners track the claim, evidence, explanations, and unnecessary details on a checklist.
Have students deliver a brief workplace-style update describing a problem, evidence, recommended action, and reason for that recommendation.

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